| Wholesome environment: | Supports a sense of belonging, morals, and self worth. |
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| FAMILY | Biological | Special group | Spiritual | Cultural | Work | Intellectual | Social |
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| 1. Biological Family: The support system of the wife, parents, siblings, children, and other family members provides an important aspect to the positive development of incarcerated individuals. |
2. Special Group Family: Groups like AA, NA, Stop Smoking, Spousal Abuse, and others are all great sources of support. It is in these groups we find empathy and concern in our desire to overcome negative lifestyles. The force of habit to return to the negative can be identified and solutions can be found. |
(a) We would like to believe love is the motivating factor, but it is not necessarily so. Prisons provided few basic things (human needs) with many inmates having little or no money. Family members are the primary economic support.
(b) Prisons are the same routine, day in and day out. Family and/or conjugal visits help break-up a monotonous lifestyle.
(c) Prisons can be a lonely and powerless place, so the support of a family unit can offer the security of a functional life on the inside and outside affairs.
(d) Parole boards are more likely to grant release to inmates who will be returning to a stable family life. Studies show that released inmates with active families are less likely to return to prison.
(e) A positive self-image is easier to maintain if you feel someone loves and depends on you, but the emotional cost can make the time hard and pass more slowly with concerns that cannot be met. |
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The emotional cycle of incarceration is constant and intense with minimized prisoner’s control and balance. Some examples are: transfers – parole board hearings – anniversary of crime – marriage – child birth – drugs – sickness or death in family – new officers – new policy or new interpretation of visitation and phone policies – publicity – holidays etc.
“You just don’t know what its like until you’ve been through it once or twice.“ Then there still exists the unmet needs associated with the family. Some are: money – raising children – loneliness and sexual frustration – fear regarding release – housing – disapproval by friends and other family members. A strong family support system is a proven help to developing a positive life-style.
3. Spiritual Family: FAITH IS RESPONSIBILITY; Our response to God’s ability. There is hope; studies have revealed a correlation between religious participation and change in anti-social involvement. Being a part of a religious environment provides a strong foundation in which to grow. Both the Christian and the Muslim tradition affirm that humanity is a creation of God. |
4. Cultural Family: Having a sense of beginning (roots) develops self-esteem and a sense of personal pride. The difference between successful people and unsuccessful people is not just their ability or knowledge, but the image they have of themselves. Self-image is the concept of who and what you are. |
5. Work Family: In most cases, we are referred to by our job titles. Some of the most meaningful relationships are developed in the work place. |
6. Intellectual Family: To communicate with those of like disciplines stimulate and challenge the mind and promote growth. |
7. Social Family: Interacting with the community and developing relationships is a healthy outlet and opportunity to share. Support of a Community Network unfolds talents, skills, resources and opportunities for growth. |